Sabia Abidi

Sabia Abidi is an Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Bioengineering Undergraduate Studies at Rice University. She specializes in integrating advanced biomedical techniques with innovative teaching methods, focusing on student-centered problem-based learning. Her expertise spans stem cell differentiation, microfluidics, and immunological disease mechanisms, particularly in sickle cell disease and malaria.

Education:

• Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin (2007)
• B.S., Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University (2002)
• Postdoctoral Fellowships at MIT (2014–2017), NYU School of Medicine (2011–2014), and Rice University (2017–2018)

Research Interests: Her work combines microfluidics and regenerative medicine to address blood-related diseases. Key areas include understanding vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease, parasite density impacts in malaria, and optimizing cell therapies using 3D scaffolds. She also explores biophysical markers for hydroxyurea treatment efficacy.

Awards & Grants:

• 2024 George R. Brown Prize for Superior Teaching
• Co-PI: National Space Grant Foundation grant (2019–2020) for in-space prototyping
• Co-PI: Brown Foundation Teaching Grant (2020) for educational video development

Advisory & Outreach: She advises undergraduate bioengineering students and serves on the Medical Humanities Research Institute Steering Committee. Actively involved in STEM mentorship programs like IEEE WIE and Future City competitions.